Maryland Shepherds Cup

The purpose of this award is to recognize consistent excellence in the production of handspinning fleeces by wool producers in Maryland. The winner will be judged to have entered the best set of five handspinning fleeces from an individual Maryland shepherd. The Maryland Shepherds Cup is offered in remembrance of Mary Ann Jackson, shepherd at Spinning Flock Farm. Mary Ann was a long-time supporter and active member of the Festival Committee and MSBA. As well as being named 2006 Maryland Shepherd of the Year with her husband Ed, MaryAnn initiated the fiber arts and shepherd workshops at the Festival, taught innumerable beginning spinners and weavers, and was a tireless supporter of textile arts.

The award will include a perpetual trophy inscribed with the name of each year’s winner plus a $100 prize.

Guidelines for Entering

  1. Maryland shepherds will designate five handspinning fleeces that best represent their flock and breeding program goals. The fleeces must be from sheep belonging to the shepherd entering them and the farm must be in Maryland.
  2. All five fleeces must also be individually entered in the appropriate Division and Class for Show and Sale.
  3. Check appropriate box on entry form to be included in MD Shepherd’s Cup competition.
  4. The Entry must be accompanied by a brief paragraph (no more than 80 words) describing the goals of the shepherd/producer that are represented by their five selected fleeces. This is to acknowledge that different shepherds may have different goals. Examples might include: Perfectly matched fleeces (in color, character, quality); specific breed character; natural colors; or variety of fleece types, etc.
  5. Only one entry (of 5 fleeces) for the Shepherds Cup per individual shepherd’s flock.

Warm up for the Festival with Winterfest 2024!

Registration is now open for two days of virtual spinning, knitting, and fiber preparation classes to be held on February 3 and 4, 2024.

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Registration is now open for Winterfest 2024 at lessonface.com/sheepandwool!! Out third annual Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Winterfest is two days of virtual fiber arts seminars, to be held on on Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4, 2024. The following instructors will be teaching fiber prep, spinning, and knitting:o Kate Atherleyo Maggie Caseyo Roy Clemeso Shana Coheno Jill Duarteo Laura Linemano Sarah Schirao Emily WohlscheidThere will be a free keynote lecture on Sunday at 12:00 pm ET. In "A Year in the Life of a Fleece Producer", Lee Langstaff of Shepherd’s Hey Farm will take you on a journey through a year at her farm in Maryland. The lecture is free, but you must sign up through Lessonface.Find full details of all the classes and register online at www.lessonface.com/sheepandwool.#MDSW #winterfest2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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Registration for Winterfest 2024 begins tomorrow, Saturday, November 18 at 12:00 pm ET. The class schedule and complete details are now available for preview at lessonface.com/sheepandwool. The "Enroll" button for each class will be activated at noon tomorrow.Out third annual Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Winterfest is two days of virtual fiber arts seminars, to be held on on Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4, 2024. The following instructors will be teaching fiber prep, spinning, and knitting:o Kate Atherleyo Maggie Caseyo Roy Clemeso Shana Coheno Jill Duarteo Laura Linemano Sarah Schirao Emily WohlscheidThe keynote lecture on Sunday at 12:00 pm ET is "A Year in the Life of a Fleece Producer" by Lee Langstaff of Shepherd’s Hey Farm. Lee will take you on a journey through a year at her farm in Maryland. The lecture is free. Join the lecture by clicking the Join button that will start showing 35 minutes before the lecture time.#MDSW #winterfest2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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Announcing the third annual Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival Winterfest, two days of virtual fiber arts seminars, on Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4, 2024. The following instructors will be teaching fiber prep, spinning and knitting:o Kate Atherleyo Maggie Caseyo Roy Clemeso Shana Coheno Jill Duarteo Laura Linemano Sarah Schirao Emily WohlscheidYou can preview the class schedule at sheepandwool.org/winterfest-2024/. Registration will open on Saturday, November 18 at 12:00 pm ET. Complete class descriptions will be available at that time. Watch for the registration link to be posted on our website and announced on social media.#MDSW #winterfest2024 ... See MoreSee Less
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